Correctional officer and two inmates accused of smuggling drugs into a Massachusetts prison

DEDHAM – A former correctional officer and two inmates have been charged with smuggling drugs into the Norfolk County Correctional Center in Dedham, Massachusetts.

Smuggled in Wendy's bag

According to Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott, the drug was Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid addiction. Investigators reportedly found 238 strips of Suboxone hidden in two pomade containers in inmates' cells. The drugs are valued at approximately $47,600.

Correctional Officer Jean Guirand of Saugus is accused of hiding the strips in a Wendy's fast-food bag to smuggle them into the prison. He then hid the Wendy's bag between garbage bags before giving it to inmate Dante Clarke of Dorchester. Investigators said Guirand obtained the drugs from two women known to Clarke and fellow inmate Cornell Bell of Quincy.

Both Clarke and Bell are being held at the facility in connection with a murder in Quincy in August 2022.

Prison officer dismissed

According to the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office, Guirand was hired last April after going through a criminal background check and other investigations. He has since been fired. McDermott said when Guirand was confronted last month, he admitted to supplying the narcotics to Clarke and Bell. He reportedly told investigators that Clarke had promised him $5,000, which he never received.

“The last thing we want is drugs coming into this facility, especially since our most important job here at the sheriff's office and at our correctional facility is to rehabilitate these men before they can return to their communities,” McDermott said.

In addition to Guirand, Clarke and Bell, Avelina Faustin of Brockton and Amaya Rogers also face multiple charges, including drug conspiracy and delivery of drugs to a correctional facility. All of them have separate hearings scheduled in Dedham District Court in early October.